An example of exaptation is the genetic transmission of
A) darker pigmentation in the next generation of moths that live in polluted environments.
B) traits that have more than one function (e.g., fur keeps an animal warm but also provides camouflage).
C) a mutation (e.g., coloration, size) that might be adaptive for the next generation.
D) traits that decrease the survival chances in offspring (e.g., missing pigmentation, or albinism).

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Exaptation refers to a trait that originally evolved for one purpose but later came to serve another. The example of fur providing both warmth and camouflage illustrates this concept, as the fur's primary function might have been warmth, but it also serves the purpose of camouflage, which is a secondary benefit that was not the original reason for its evolution.

An Example of Exaptation Is the Genetic Transmission of